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Towards a Quaternary Time Scale1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

W. A. Berggren ,
L. H. Burckle ,
M. B. Cita ,
H. B. S. Cooke ,
B. M. Funnell ,
S. Gartner ,
J. D. Hays ,
J. P. Kennett ,
N. D. Opdyke  and
L. Pastouret
...Show all authors
W. A. Berggren
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
L. H. Burckle
Affiliation:
Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, New York 10964
M. B. Cita
Affiliation:
Institute of Geology and Paleontology, University of Milan, Piazzale Gorini 15, Milan, Italy
H. B. S. Cooke
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
B. M. Funnell
Affiliation:
School of Environmental Science, University of East Anglia, University Plain, Norwich NR4 7TJ, England
S. Gartner
Affiliation:
College of Geosciences, Department of Oceanography, College Station, Texas 77843
J. D. Hays
Affiliation:
Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, New York 10964
J. P. Kennett
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Oceanography University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island 02881
N. D. Opdyke
Affiliation:
Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, New York 10964
L. Pastouret
Affiliation:
CNEXO Centre Oceanlogique de Bretagne, 29 N. Plouzane, B.P. 337, Brest, France
N. J. Shackleton
Affiliation:
Godwin Laboratory for Quaternary Research, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RS, England
Y. Takayanagi
Affiliation:
Institute of Paleontology, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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Abstract

Nine first-appearance datums (FADs), twenty-three last-appearance datums (LADs), and three other micropaleontological datums are related to the magnetic-reversal, oxygen-isotope, and calcite-dissolution/coarse-fraction time scales to provide a preliminary basis for subdivision of the Quaternary in deep-sea sediments. The magnetic-reversal, oxygen-isotope, and calcite-dissolution/coarse-fraction scales have been correlated by determination on the same core materials, and absolute dates applied by 40K/40Ar or 14C dating of materials in known positions on one or another of these scales. FADS and LADs have been determined in cores for which either a magnetic-reversal, oxygen-isotope, or calcite-dissolution/coarse-fraction scale has also been available. Altogether 3 FADs and 5 LADs based on diatoms, 4 FADs and 5 LADs based on calcareous nannoplankton, 1 FAD and 8 LADs based on radiolarians, 1 FAD and 5 LADs based on planktonic foraminifers, 2 acme datums, and 1 ratio reversal datum have been determined, and absolute dates inferred by interpolation from known dates on the reference time scales. Some of the FADs and LADs apply or are synchronous only over limited areas of the oceans; others appear to be synchronous throughout the oceans. The base of the Quaternary is set at the top of the Olduvai event at 1.7 my. Four FADs, twelve LADs, two acme datums, and one ratio reversal datum occur above the base of the Quaternary at an average rate of about 1 per 100,000 yr. Five FADs and twelve LADs are recognized in the 0.8-my interval between the top of the Olduvai event and the Gauss/Matuyama Boundary at 2.5 my at an average incidence of about 1 per 50,000 yr.

Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , May 1980 , pp. 277 - 302
Copyright
University of Washington

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Footnotes

1

Compiled by W. A. Berggren (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution).

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